By Erick Otienor
Residents of Osiri village in Macalder/Kanyarwanda Ward, Nyatike, will soon have access to safe and consistent drinking water, thanks to a local gold mine investor who has funded borehole projects in the area.
The investor, introduced to the community by the area Member of County Assembly (MCA), Felix Okwanyo, will establish eight water stations to serve the village.
Speaking during the commissioning of the boreholes, the locals highlighted the severe challenges caused by the lack of clean water, including outbreaks of cholera and the need to walk long distances in search of safe water.
The residents, led by Robinson Onyango, expressed hope that the new initiative will bring lasting relief to the community living in the Semi-arid area of Nyatike.
The community have been raising concerns over the dangers posed by contaminated water, noting that chemicals from nearby mines have often seeped into rivers, leading to health complications when used for bathing, cooking, or washing.
Eunice Atieno, a resident of Osiri, observed that access to clean water will significantly cut household expenses currently spent on buying water, while also allowing children to concentrate more on their studies instead of spending hours fetching water.
According to locals, the boreholes will end decades of reliance on River Kuja and River Migori, which are infested with crocodiles and associated with diseases such as bilharzia and other waterborne infections.
Despite the milestone, residents insist the eight water points cannot serve the growing population and appealed to both the county and national governments to step in and assist the locals.
According to the investor, Salah Okech, his mining company will continue doing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to improve the lives of people in the semi-arid area of Nyatike.
“We want our people to benefit from what we are doing here. We are doing business in their area and they deserve to benefit from some of our CSR”, he said.
Macalder/Kanyarwanda Ward (MCA) Felix Okwanyo applauded the efforts made by the investor to ensure the lives of the Osiri residents improve.
Okwanyo said that one of the biggest problems for his people is water scarcity, adding that the eight boreholes will solve the water shortage.
